Dr. Arathyram, an Assistant Professor from the University of Bradford and a native of Parippally, Kollam, has been awarded the coveted UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship, a grant worth £2.2 million (approximately ₹26.38 crore).
The substantial four-year fellowship will fund Dr. Arathyram’s innovative research in the field of piezoelectroceutics. Her project aims to develop a bioelectric implant gel that will drastically accelerate the healing of fractured bones, particularly benefiting the elderly.
- Technology: The gel is designed to use piezoelectric materials that convert mechanical energy from normal body movement into an electrical signal.
- Mechanism: When injected into a fracture, this mild electrical stimulation promotes cell communication, which is often slow or disrupted after a break, thus speeding up the natural bone regeneration process.
- Impact: If successful, this research could offer a non-surgical, smart therapy for complex bone diseases and fractures, leading to revolutionary changes in orthopaedic medicine and reducing treatment costs.
Dr. Arathyram’s journey to this global recognition is a testament to her dedication, starting from her education in Kerala.
- Education: She completed her schooling in Malayalam-medium government schools in her village, pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Physics from the University of Kerala, and went on to complete her MPhil from CUSAT and her PhD from Chonbuk National University in South Korea.
- Previous Feats: This is her second major UK research award, having previously secured the Marie Curie Fellowship in 2020 for her research on brain tumours at the University of Birmingham.
- Vision: Dr. Arathyram, who now heads the RAMS Lab at the University of Bradford, describes her work as bridging the gap between physics and medicine, focusing on applying physics principles to practical medical applications.
The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship is one of the most competitive grants in the UK, designed to support researchers with the potential to become global leaders in their fields.
